xxix
FOREWORD
The purpose of this exegesis on the Gospel of Matthew is not to repeat what has already been presented in
other works. Rather, I hope to bring fresh insight into the Scriptures from a Hebraic perspective. The book of
Matthew is my first attempt, outside of the Eschatology Scriptures, to enable students and church leaders to
reach a greater depth of understanding of the Hebrew Scriptures.
In this study, we're going to explore the Jewish background of the Believers‘ faith and some of the
implications this has for Believers today. Having taught on the topic of the "Hebraic Roots of Christianity" for
several years now, there are a few things I've learned along the way. I've learned that we can't take anything
for granted when we try to teach others, because we're all at different levels of spiritual growth and maturity.
I'm confident that this study will be a beginning point for many of you. Regardless of our level of
understanding on this subject, I'm convinced it will be a useful overview for growing deeper in our
understanding of the foundations of our faith.
My aim is to make this a "practical, hands on, how to" kind of teaching. The theoretical is important, but I'm
concerned with helping people to get started; because if we never start restoring our lost heritage, we can
never be, in my estimation, truly what God desires for us to become.
I've also learned that many are resistant to this concept concerned that by reintroducing the Jewishness of
our faith, we somehow violate the spirit of God‘s grace. So I have chosen to introduce the subject by
extending an invitation - an invitation to explore the riches of God‘s grace and the spiritual truths God has
painted within the traditions and customs of Biblical Judaism; an invitation to open the eyes of our
understanding that we may better know our Jewish Messiah, and to celebrate our great salvation and
redemption that the Merciful One has so graciously bestowed upon us. Anyone care to join me?
How many of you have seen the movie, "Fiddler on the Roof"? Remember the opening song? Tradition!
Tradition! Anyone who has seen this movie is aware of the importance of tradition in Jewish culture. It has
been with the Jewish people for several thousand years—and the foundation of Jewish life and practice has
long been the Hebrew Scriptures. Every culture has its own traditions: whether it is Israel, Africa, China or
the Western Church. Even those who say they are "non-traditional" have, in reality, established their own
new tradition. Before you accuse me of "waxing philosophic", let me clarify by saying I only say this to point
out that the issue isn't whether Believers in Y‘shua have traditions or not, but what the approach should be
to those traditions. (Why do I pronounce Jesus‘ name as Y‘shua? It will come out in the teaching).
In this study, we're going to look into some traditions and customs that are usually identified as "Jewish". The
fact is that they are actually "biblical" customs. This means that these traditions are not only significant to
Jews, but that any Bible-Believer can be blessed by an understanding of Biblical culture. After all, most
Christians are aware that our Messiah lived as a Jew within the land of Israel. He had a Hebrew name,
Y‘shua, and all His earliest disciples were Jewish.
Unfortunately, many non-Jewish believers have had little, if any, exposure to the Hebraic roots of their own
faith. It's a great tragedy that the Christian community has not understood, for the most part, the rich heritage
on which its faith should be built. The Jewish people themselves also need to take a fresh look at the
biblical/Jewish customs to understand their true meaning and purpose. Many in the Jewish community are
being challenged to see the connection between Jewish culture and the Brit HaDasha - the New Covenant.
Today, hundreds of thousands of Jewish people believe that Y‘shua is the Messiah and the saviour of
mankind. They are rediscovering that Y‘shua was a Jew (and still is - since nowhere does Scripture say or
suggest that he has ceased to be a Jew) and that the New Covenant is a Jewish book.
Looking at Y‘shua against His Jewish background enables us to recognise and appreciate His great
influence on those around Him. He was part and parcel of the world of the Jewish Sages. He was no
ignorant peasant and His acquaintance with the Written and Oral Law was considerable. The biblical
customs are keys to unlocking the depths of Scripture. What better way to understand the Messiah than to
study the context of the New Covenant?
Now, I want to clarify that I don't think everyone needs to run out and get themselves a yarmulke (Jewish
head cover) and tallit (prayer shawl) or they're second-class citizens of the Kingdom. This isn't about
legalism. Salvation is NOT contingent upon keeping the Law or the customs, but is based on Y‘shua's
atoning sacrifice and resurrection. This is about gaining an understanding of the biblical customs and
exploring the spiritual blessings to be gained from that understanding. Historically, the church has had a
deficient understanding of its roots in part because of its fear of legalism. What I find ironic is that the